Smith brought exactly what I thought he would throughout the tournament, demonstrating high-end skating mechanics to go along with a strong power game. As usual, his speed in a straight-line with the puck is a serious asset as he’s consistently able to turn around defenders as he attacks down the wing. More often than not he would opt to shoot off the rush rather than distribute, looking to create rebounds out in front by shooting low off the pad. Off-puck in the offensive zone he always kept his feet moving which allowed him to win races to loose pucks while using his frame to engage in physical battles for possession if need be. His tool package allowed him to be an effective forechecker as well, utilizing his speed to limit defenders time and space on retrievals, force turnovers and set up offensive zone sequences. He was able to access the interior with the puck at times by dipping his shoulder and driving through defenders which earned him a few looks from the slot.

Smith executed his role well as a depth piece among this forward group, using his combination speed and physicality to impact the game positively despite limited puck touches. His best moments came as the F1 on the forecheck where he was able to close in on defenders quickly, force turnovers and pounce on loose pucks before distributing it shrewdly to his supporting teammates to initiate the cycle game. He flashes some high-end speed as a puck-carrier in transition as well, using his long stride and powerful crossovers to pick up speed in the neutral zone, gain the offensive blueline while pushing back defenders and shooting hard and low shots from the flank looking for rebounds.

Not only was Smith probably the fastest forward in a straight-line in this camp, but he also showed that he knows how to use it appropriately and change things up within his attacking style depending on the situation. His top speed with the puck allows him to consistently turn around defenders when he attacks off the rush, which creates a ton of space up high for his teammates to operate in as passing options. This led to opposing defenders backing up more when they saw him bursting down the wing, which he used to his advantage by delaying upon entry and either hitting a trailing option or cutting laterally to maximize his options as a puck carrier. Smith was also using his speed effectively in the offensive zone to anticipate and cut off passes below the goal line before making a quick centering pass to the middle of the ice. He should be a major factor for Nova Scotia in October.

I thought Smith really started to stand out once this game opened up as he was able to utilize his speed more effectively to create chances off the rush. There was one instance where he was able to pick up speed through the neutral zone with the puck on his stick, turn around a defender with relative ease to earn himself a breakaway but was ultimately denied. He made a similar rush later on in the third period when he made a quick move around a player in his own zone, utilized powerful crossovers to generate speed and nearly pulled off the end to end rush but lost control of the puck near the bottom of the circle.

I wanted to highlight Smith here for his ability to be a strong complimentary piece on his line. He was supporting the puck very well in the offensive zone, often creating numbers advantages in board battles along the perimeter and remaining in close proximity to puck-carriers to give them a safe passing option. He was making simple plays with the puck off the cycle, which helped extend possession time in the offensive zone and allowed his line to stitch together some impressive sequences. He was quite effective with his puck touches in transition as well, as he flashed some good speed off the wing where he would often shoot low looking to create rebounds for teammates driving the net.

Smith’s speed was a factor throughout the entirety of the game by using it in a myriad of ways to drive results for his line. In the offensive zone he was combining his speed and anticipation to cut off plays below the goal line and center pucks quickly to the front of the net, or just pressuring defenders head on and forcing turnovers with shrewd stick checks in order to regain possession. As a puck carrier Smith is all gas no brakes, showing tremendous acceleration and top speed which consistently allows him to turn around defenders and beat them wide to either cut to the net or deliver a slip pass from below the goal line for a dangerous chance in front.

Smith’s ability to either play with speed or slow things down off the rush made him a versatile and unpredictable attacker in transition. Throughout the game he showed he could either get a step on a defender with strong vertical quickness or delay between the hashmarks and hit the trailing option up high. He even showed off some fancy playmaking in one rush sequence when he executed a behind the back pass to a streaking teammate who was able to attack into space and get a shot off from the slot.